Draymond Green persists in playing the role of a victim and evading responsibility for his actions.
Green’s absence from the last five Golden State Warriors’ games resulted from a suspension following his unnecessary chokehold on Rudy Gobert on November 14.
Eligible to return on Tuesday in Sacramento, Green addressed the Gobert incident on Sunday. Typically, he managed to express some semblance of regret for his actions while justifying them simultaneously—hardly convincing.
His argument? He claimed the league’s consideration of his “history of unsportsmanlike acts” in determining his suspension was unjust. He insists he’s already faced consequences for previous incidents and should not be repeatedly penalized for them.
But here’s the thing: Green’s attempt to portray himself as a victim is comical. If he’s being held to a stricter standard now, it’s because of his actions. It’s akin to the troublemaker at school receiving less leniency from the principal—it’s not rocket science.
Is Green genuinely suggesting he’s been on his best behavior since 2016 and hasn’t caught a break? If anything, it’s the opposite. Remember when he punched his teammate and faced no suspension, then spent the season blaming the victim?
The reality? Green isn’t held to a higher standard; if anything, he might even receive more leeway from officials than other players who act similarly. He’s known for badgering officials and taunting opponents—his technical foul count could easily be much higher.
If Green’s past transgressions are now a factor, it’s because of his recent egregious offense. He didn’t merely participate in a scuffle; he put someone who posed no threat in a chokehold and acted like a hero.
Green’s claims of always defending teammates sound more like hero syndrome. Watch the video and try claiming Gobert posed a threat to Thompson that warranted Green’s actions—it’s evident Green isn’t a hero but a hotheaded aggressor.
While Green believes he’s protecting teammates, he’s costing them victories. The Warriors lost three of the five games he missed—they can’t afford such mistakes now. The team tolerates Green because of his on-court value, but that tolerance is wearing thin.
Instead of a simple apology and assurance not to repeat his actions, Green offered a feeble excuse of “being himself.” It’s nothing but a veiled insult to his critics.
Claiming he needs to find a better way to be himself than choking or punching people is laughable. Perhaps that’s why the Warriors paid him a hefty sum—to embrace his identity? Green’s lack of self-awareness is staggering.
Green’s prowess on the court isn’t what it used to be, and the Warriors aren’t the powerhouse they once were. When competing for championships, Green’s antics were dismissed as passion, but now, in a tighter situation, his leash is shorter.
It’s high time for Green to take full responsibility for his actions—not just partially. Until he does, and better yet, stops repeating such behavior, nobody, especially the league office, will believe he’s learned anything. And when behavior doesn’t change, punishments escalate—a cycle Green seems oblivious to.
The ball is in Green’s court. Until he acknowledges and rectifies his behavior, the punishments will only get harsher. It’s a simple cause and effect, but so far, Green hasn’t shown any sign of understanding that.
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